There is no doubt about it. The Asus Transformer Prime is the hottest tablet this holiday season to offer the full Android experience. Pre-orders for the device on Amazon sold out in one day and the different models dominated the best selling tablets list. An official release date has yet to be announced, but several retailers are still taking pre-orders including B&H, Best Buy, GameStop, Newegg, and Tiger Direct.

Out of all the retailers offering the Transformer Prime, it appears GameStop has the best bundle package. For $539.98, customers get the 32 GB Transformer Prime, wireless bluetooth controller, and several free games including Dead Space, Re-Load, Sonic CD, Monster Madness, Riptide GP, and Cordy.

All signs are still pointing towards an early December release. Newegg has the estimated release date listed as December 8th and GameStop pegs it at December 9th. We still expect the Transformer Prime to ship with Android 3.2, but NVIDIA already demonstrated it running Android 4.0 and a software update is expected before the end of the year.

We never would have guessed this several weeks ago, but some US consumers could actually have a tablet running Android 4.0 before Verizon fixes the bugs in their Galaxy Nexus and releases it later this year.

Hopefully we should receive a review unit soon, so be on the lookout for a full review to see how the Transformer Prime stacks up with the current generation of Android tablets.

Taylor is the founder of Android and Me. He resides in Dallas and carries the Samsung Galaxy S 4 and HTC One as his daily devices. Ask him a question on Twitter or Google+ and he is likely to respond. | Ethics statement

Taylor, that screenshot was from a few days ago. But when I go to order details, it STILL says after Dec 25th. It would be awesome to get it on the 8th though! I’m to excited! I grabbed it RIGHT BEFORE they took down the preorders the first time.

AsakuraZero

i dont even have a delivery date, consider yourself lucky haha

http://nickedynick.blogspot.com Nickedynick

Any news on UK release dates? I can’t wait for it to be launched over here!

http://androidandme.com Taylor Wimberly

I think it is releasing in the US first with other countries to follow. So my guess is Q1 2012.

pikahatonjon

xD ill trade you a transformer prime for a galaxy nexus

Harvey

I emailed Asus UK and they advised a release date of 16.12 for the UK. I double checked and that’s the information they’ve got from their sales department.

Toonshorty

You’d be mad to ask for an iPad 2 for Christmas with this thing due out!

gqgk

ex bought me an iPad for Christmas (she gave it to me before we broke up)… It’s going on ebay… haha

John Walker

And i was just about to get a kindle fire

Inquizitor

I’m hesitant to pre-order…but I’m leaning heavily towards purchase. Especially if I’m still waiting for the Galaxy Nexus when this lands.

YellowDucati

Best keyboard dock around.

ChuckUSA

This would definitely be the tablet for me, although I like the idea of a tablet over a laptop, to have a keyboard for it as well is definitely a dream for me. It’s like being able to separate the screen from the laptop. But, I will have to wait for now to get one.

asuman1179

I have mine order. Would like sooner than later!

http://www.techzek.com Dekot

According to the Verizon report Transformer prime will be release on 8th December as well as moto droid 4 ..

And many more new device will launched in Dec..

lambertjd

I really want it!

PapaWhisky

I was lucky (?) enough to get in on the Amazon preorder. However it initially said delivery after 12/25, but now it says after 1/09. I sure hope not…..

Ryan

As does mine, this is no bueno. Hoping that this is a mistake on Amazon’s part.

bruce080

Will we be seeing one of this in the 25 days of Tegra contest? I hope so!

bruce080

these* :(

bwmanx

that would be awesome!

WarDrake

This is gonna sound dumb… but i hope mine waits till the 14th… i’m out of the country till that day :P

AsusFan

I pre-ordered it today at Best Buy and the date I was given is Dec 18th.

blah

Pre-ordered from BB, also states the 18th

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002275344855 luiek20

Wow i know i’m getting this beast of a tablet but i’d never thought i’d consider getting it from best buy! It does seem to have the best deal but do they offer the 64gb model?

Kaote

Pre-ordered mine, will pass my original Transformer off the my daughter when it arrives.

http://www.lifequill.com Canterrain

Much as I love android, it still doesn’t feel tablet ready to me. It works, but it is missing things here and there. Especially tablet apps.

Here’s hoping ICS changes that, because the picture up there looks sweet.

SCJaredJ

I love my ipad2 & zagg folio keyboard case….but there is just something about these transformers that makes my wallet want to spit out cash. Hopefully the nexus will get released before christmas and I can blow my $ on that, but if it doesn’t I might have to struggle with my current phone and play around with this guy.

SCJaredJ

FYI….after I submitted “post” I realized that my comment was about as boring as me posting about my fantasy football team on facebook. My bad.

http://www.lifequill.com Canterrain

As much as I love android, it still doesn’t feel tablet ready to me. It’s missing things here and there, especially tablet apps.

Here’s hoping ICS changes that, because that picture up there looks fantastic.

http://www.lifequill.com Canterrain

Whoops, double post ftl…

http://gplus.to/DrJeckyl Dr.Jeckyl

Pre-ordered mine from TigerDirect, got a confirmation email immediately then got a second email about an hour later stating it was back ordered. I’m hoping that is just standard procedure with pre orders since this is my first time ever pre ordering a pre release device.

That’s a lot of pres.

PS: Just got off the phone with CS from TigerDirect and that is standard procedure. PHEW!

Now to just play the waiting game. Come December 8-9th my F5 key will get a workout. I can’t wait!

killabee44

I have my preorder with Amazon… Asus better be ready this time because last year there was a shortage. Im sure they lost out on some sales.

This model looks even more refined though.

Can’t wait!

Nathan

I’m going to try and get one for Christmas, hopefully it will happen

uknowme

I’m actually waiting until after Christmas. I asked for gift cards from everyone so I can get one. Sigh…to many bills to buy one without gift cards.

RRR

Total winner for gamers.
Retina display + ICS/Win8 dual boot and i am also in.

buxtahuda

I did have it pre-ordered, but I’ve found myself in a bit of a broke hole and had to cancel T.T

But that may be for the best, I’d like to get my tab and dock from the same place really.

Anyway, can’t wait to get my hands on this with ICS! The Tegra3 games look promising, I’m especially looking forward to playing Lost Planet 2 again. Wouldn’t mind that GameStop bundle but I’ve got to have the 64 GB version, and I already have three PS3 controllers.

http://www.infotainmentempire.com pekosROB

Preordered my 64 gb Champagne from B&H. Hopefully it ships by the 8th or 9th!

http://www.infotainmentempire.com pekosROB

Preordered my 64 gb Champagne from B&H. Hopefully it ships by the 8th or 9th! Let’s just call this an early 30th birthday present to myself.

Mighty_O

i don’t like the design!!

Slith

The Gamestop says that the tablet is customized by them. I hope that just means the addition of the games and not a bunch of other crap.

zedklind

i preordered from gamestop and it comes with a couple extras but nothing crazy. mostly games. just wondering what color theyll give me… it doesnt say haha